Requesting Assistance With Validating Seller Dating of Mini Dress

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

Greetings Vintage Fashion Guild community!

I am seeking expert validation concerning the authenticity of a recent acquisition to my curated collection of vintage garments, spanning from the late 1930s to the mid-1960s. My focus lies in the intricate details of silhouette, cut, and patterning, ensuring adherence to the respective eras, whether they be genuine vintage or modern reproductions. The minidress in question, attributed to the brand California Holiday, presents challenges due to the obscured label and absence from registries.

Notably, the dress features a paisley pattern, typically associated with the 1970s, alongside a breathable spandex fabric, a pointed collar, a higher waistline, bishop sleeves, and oversized Mod-style buttons. The construction includes a fully buttoned front with an invisible hook fastening at the waist, and a waist tie that the seller incorrectly positioned at the back.

While I have explored representations of late 1960s styles, the prevalent use of stiffer fabrics raises questions about its authenticity. The combination of design elements and material suggests it may indeed be a modern reproduction from the 1970s.

Any assistance will be appreciated.

 

[lkranieri]

I can at least try to research the label and its dates if you will post a photo of the label.

 

[denisebrain]

To me it looks like c. 1972-74 to me. The buttons are not really oversized, and the print is floral. Is the length original? Is the thread used for the hem cotton-like or is it clear nylon?

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

To me it looks like c. 1972-74 to me. The buttons are not really oversized, and the print is floral. Is the length original? Is the thread used for the hem cotton-like or is it clear nylon?

I agree with your observations.

The length is original. As for the thread used to hem, it is a white cotton all-around.

 

[Ranch Queen Vintage]

@LumaireDeBeaumont
Very cute dress! To my eye, it looks original.
I found just a few references about this brand in newspaper ads dating from the early to mid 1970s.
Here's a brief article about the brand with some odd editorializing from 1972.

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

I can at least try to research the label and its dates if you will post a photo of it.

Clear photo of the label ️

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

What a cute dress! It reminds me very much of dresses I wore in high school in the early 1970s.

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

Very cute dress! To my eye, it looks original.
I found just a few references about this brand in newspaper ads dating from the early to mid 1970s.
Here's a brief article about the brand with some odd editorializing from 1972.

View attachment 200081

Your insights are invaluable, and I always appreciate the text to date concerning these matters. Upon arrival, the dress did not seem authentic to me as a representation of the 1960s era.

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

What a cute dress! It reminds me very much of dresses I wore in high school in the early 1970s.

I presume you were rather stylish!

 

[Jonathan]

I remember my sister wore dresses like this when she worked in an office in Toronto in 1973/74. They often had matching shorts/panties, and she wore them with platform sandals, long straight hair, and big hoop earrings.

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

I remember my sister wore dresses like this when she worked in an office in Toronto in 1973/74. They often had matching shorts/panties, and she wore them with platform sandals, long straight hair, and big hoop earrings.

How fun!

 

[lkranieri]

I looked at many ads for California Holiday fashions and the first reference I found to their fashions (sportswear initially, I believe) was in 1959. The latest ads were from around 1978. Up until about 1980 I saw ads for closeout-type places selling their dresses.

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

I looked at many ads for California Holiday fashions and the first reference I found to their fashions (sportswear initially, I believe) was in 1959. The latest ads were from around 1978. Up until about 1980 I saw ads for closeout-type places selling their dresses.

Thank you for taking the time. I am now settled on the estimation of the dress dating c. 1972-1974.

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

my curated collection of vintage garments, spanning from the late 1930s to the mid-1960s.

I would love to see some of your other pieces!

 

[Rue_de_la_Paix]

As Jonathan had mentioned, a few of mine had matching panties. More like what we call boy shorts, and I was usually twirling my dress on purpose. Bad girl!

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

I would love to see some of your other pieces!

I will make it a goal

 

[LumaireDeBeaumont]

As Jonathan had mentioned, a few of mine had matching panties. More like what we call boy shorts, and I was usually twirling my dress on purpose. Bad girl!

Haha! Youth at its finest.